First, it got cold. We turned on the heat yesterday and don’t expect to shut it off much now until April.

Next, baseball is over. This year my son played summer ball, stretching the regular season from April all the way to the end of August. And yesterday we watched the last game for the Vancouver Canadians for the season. And yes, they won.

Third, lessons start this week. Piano lessons, swimming lessons, and soon weekend soccer games. Here comes my scheduling nightmare trying to get two kids to everything when both parents work and we only have one car. How do bigger families do it?

Finally, school starts tomorrow. Whooopeee!! I’ve been counting down the days for weeks now, and finally, it’s here. It’s been nice having a calm summer with fewer deadlines and an easier schedule, but when you’re trying to work from home and schedule actual client stuff and kids are running around the house or taking up your time, school can’t come fast enough.

I didn’t have to make lunches Sunday night, because the kids would be home with Dad on Monday.

I didn’t have to nag anyone to practice piano or do homework, because we’re done with all that for two months.

I didn’t freak out about getting the kids to bed on time, because even if they don’t get enough sleep (no matter what, I know they won’t sleep in), they don’t really have to be sharp the next day.

I’ve been finding time to read my own book and update my blog.

This is the first summer where both my kids are out of school and daycare for the whole two months. It will be a pain in so many ways to get them to and from enough camps to give us parents time to work but not too much so they’re overscheduled. But for the moment, all I can think of is the good stuff.